We are a camping family! I say it and I’m not going to lie, some people give us odd looks and think “roughing it” is a stay at only a 3 star Holiday Inn. I get it, I totally get it. Why? Because I was that way too. We did not grow up camping. We weren’t really even into nature unless it was a beach with a good cocktail.
All of that changed when I became a busy mother. With working full time with three kids, life never slowed down. I was never able to turn it off and just enjoy life with my family. That’s when my husband suggested camping. At first I think I laughed, until I realized he was serious. [quote]We always say we owe our kids as many experiences in life as possible, so why not camping?[/quote]
Our first camping trip was an OCD Type A Pinterest Addict’s dream.
I had a list of camping hacks, camping recipes, and list after list of equipment we needed. We rented a pop up and headed to the Hocking Hills KOA specifically picked for their highly rated (aka clean) bathrooms. The trip was not ideal and we had a lot to learn, but the most magical thing happened. Our kids actually talked about it for weeks. They forgot what they got for Christmas 15 min after opening them, but they talked about skipping rocks and making s’mores. Even more special, I realized it allowed me to be the mother I’ve always wanted. Not distracted, able to sit down and color, or push my kids on the swing with no rush to get inside and do dishes or put another load of laundry in. It also was wonderful staying up with my husband around a campfire and just talking without the distraction of Ipads or TVs. [quote]We never felt closer as a family.[/quote]
So, we became a camping family and over the past two summers, we’ve embraced it. We even gave up our much beloved pop up for tent camping, a new challenge this summer. We are super excited though and can’t wait to share this summers adventures.
Our 2014 adventures
This spring and summer, we will visit many campgrounds in the Dayton/Cincinnati area and share reviews with you as well as tips and tricks we learn along the way. Campgrounds on the list to review:
760 Franklin Road, Lebanon, OH
6301 Park Office Road, College Corner, OH
7796 Wellbaum Road, Brookeville, OH
1-800-562-3317
10245 Witon Road, Cincinnati, OH
1-513-851-2267
855 Yankee Road, Wilmington, OH
937-289-2202
